Spring in the Sierra always brings a little bit of everything. Warm afternoons, soft turns, lively après scenes, and a mountain operations team working tirelessly behind the scenes to keep the lifts spinning and the good times rolling.
Our mountain operation crews take immense pride in doing whatever it takes to keep us sliding on snow for as long as possible. When storms stop rolling in and temperatures begin to rise, the job becomes less about snowfall and more about strategy, creativity, and teamwork.
That can mean everything from carefully managing which terrain stays open to farming snow from one part of the mountain to support another. Groomers move snow where it’s needed most, terrain park crews reshape features using snow pulled from surrounding areas, and operations teams make thoughtful decisions about lift access to help preserve key zones deeper into spring.
These efforts are what allow Palisades Tahoe to live up to its reputation as the Spring Skiing Capital®.
So if you see a member of Ski Patrol, Mountain Ops, Lift Maintenance, Grooming, or the Terrain Park crew out there working hard, take a moment to say thank you. Their work behind the scenes is what keeps the season going strong.
As we head toward the weekend of March 21 – 22, here’s what guests can expect on the mountain.
Terrain & Lift Operations Updates
Our mountain operations crews are actively making decisions based on snowpack, terrain access, and where snow can be strategically moved to preserve the best possible experience.
Palisades Updates
- Granite Chief is now closed for the season, with snow being farmed from that zone to help preserve coverage and access around Shirley Lake Express.
- Resort Chair is expected to close after Sunday (3/22) due to diminishing snowpack.
- Red Dog remains on the schedule but will operate day-to-day based on conditions.
- Exhibition is now closed for the season as crews shift snow resources to maintain Mountain Run.
- Headwall Express will run through this weekend (March 21 – 22), with a goal to continue operations into next weekend (March 29), conditions permitting. Operations will be evaluated day by day, so please check the daily lift status for the latest updates.
- Terrain will still be accessible via Siberia and the Reverse Traverse, as conditions allow.
- KT-22 will continue operating as long as ski-up access to the base terminal is possible and is now operating as Experts Only terrain.
- Once that is no longer feasible, KT terrain will remain accessible via the Base to Base Gondola, with continued access dependent on conditions.
Alpine Updates
- Sherwood, Lakeview, Scott, and Subway are now closed for the season.
- Crews are actively farming snow to maintain load ramps and operations for:
- Summit
- Roundhouse
- Treeline Cirque
- The current Alpine footprint, including Yellow, Meadow, and the Big Carpet, is expected to remain consistent through the weekend.
Looking Ahead
With continued snow farming and the incredible work of our grooming team, we are hopeful to maintain Mountain Run into early April (targeting around April 5), though this remains condition-dependent.
- Palisades operations are currently planned through April
- Alpine is expected to operate into early April (first or second weekend)
- This timeline may adjust depending on snowpack and base area access
As always, operations are subject to weather and conditions and a late-season storm could always shift the outlook.
Mountain Operations Creativity in Action
Spring operations require a different kind of problem solving.
As temperatures rise and natural snowfall becomes less frequent, the mountain operations team often gets creative to maintain terrain and features. Crews regularly move snow from one location to another, helping reinforce critical areas and maintain coverage where it matters most.
You might see this in action in the terrain parks as well. When park features need to be reshaped or refreshed, park crews may farm snow from surrounding zones like Mainline Pocket or Emigrant Gully to keep jumps and rails dialed in.
These efforts are part of what keeps the experience fun, safe, and progressive for guests well into the spring months.
Big Spring Events Weekend
Even with evolving terrain operations, the stoke level is high heading into the weekend of March 21 – 22 with several beloved spring events taking place.
Pain McShlonkey Classic – March 21
A fan-favorite tribute event celebrating the legendary Shane McConkey returns with costumes, creativity, and a whole lot of fun on snow.
The Mothership Classic – March 22
One of the most unique ski and snowboard competitions around returns with a focus on style, creativity, and community.
Another springtime tradition where skiing and golf collide for a playful on-snow competition.
We are also targeting April 5 for Cushing Crossing, one of the most iconic spring traditions of the season, though this is subject to change based on weather and conditions.
As always, operations are subject to weather and conditions and a late-season storm could always shift the outlook.
Spring events like these are a huge part of what makes this time of year so special at Palisades Tahoe.
Buy Now Ride Now
Starting March 23, new 2026/2027 Ikon Pass holders can take advantage of Buy Now, Ride Now and begin skiing or riding immediately.
It’s a great opportunity for new passholders to jump in and experience the Spring Skiing Capital® right away.
The Season Goes On
Spring at Palisades Tahoe is all about adaptability, creativity, and embracing the unique energy that comes with the final chapter of the season.
While some lifts and terrain naturally wind down as we move deeper into spring, there is still plenty of skiing and riding ahead, along with a packed calendar of events, soft spring turns, and that unmistakable Sierra sunshine.
The season is far from over.
And as always, we’ll see you out there.
